MT. PLEASANT, S.C. (WLTX) -- A doctor was arrested Monday after allegedly leaving nine Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in his vehicle for three hours.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department confirms 64-year-old Doctor Charles A. Bickerstaff left the nine dogs in five crates inside his vehicle without food or water for three hours. The vehicle was in the parking lot of a hospital the doctor was working at Monday.

The police report says Rigor Mortis had set in for at least five of the dogs, which all showed signs of dehydration.

Bickerstaff faces nine counts of ill treatment of animals, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department tells the Post and Courier, and Monday's heat index was above 90 degrees in the area.

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